Island



(No Model.)

- F. G. THOMAS.

WHIBPLETRBE.

No. 269,245. Patented Deo.19, I882.

WITNESSES:

'INVENTORI UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

FRANGKE G. THOMAS, OF PROVIDENCE, R-HODE ISLAND.

WHIFFLETREE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,245, dated December 19, 1882.

I Application filed October 17, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANGKE G. THOMAS, of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Whiflietrees; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention has reference to an improved device for securing the traces of the harness to the ends of a whiffletree.

Figure l is aperspective view of a whiflie-tree and a harness-trace secured by means of a retaining and releasing device constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a view of one end of a whiftletrec provided with a projecting shank, on the end of which abutton is hinged, the button beingshown turned on aline with the post, so as to enter a slit in the trace to be secured. Fig. 3 is a view showing the end of a whiffletree provided with the'improved fastenin g device by which the trace is secured. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the button, showing the post and the spring pressing on the end of the post, so as to hold the button in the positions on a line with or at right angles to the post.

In the drawings, A represents the whifiietree; B, the trace; (J, the hinged button, arranged to stand at right angles to the post or shank and project on each side thereof; d, the post, one end of which is secured in the whiffletree and the other provided with the hinged button. 6 e are shoulders formed on the end of the post d. fis a spring secured within the button. It presses against the end of the post,

and in turning the button the shoulders 0 e press against the spring, so that the button can only be turned by the exertion of force, and is not liable to turn while in use.

I am aware that sleeve-buttons and studs have been made in which the button was hinged to the post in practically the same manner as the button herein shown is hinged to the pin of the whiffletre'e. Such buttons werealways provided with a shoe, and could only be used where the whole was detachable from the cuff or collar, and, as constructed, these buttons could not be used on whiffletrees. The post in my invention is 'ireferablyconstructed with a screw, so that it can be secured in the end of a whifi'letree, or, if desired, into any other part of a carriage, as the same construction will answer for securing the curtains of carriages.

I am aware that hinged catches which are held in their retaining positions by springs have been applied to the trace-shanksot' whiffletrees for retaining the traces, and I do not claim such devices or combinations, broadly.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent- A trace-fastening consisting of a whiffletree end provided with a shank having a flattened outer end, a button having ears which embrace and are pivoted to the shank end,and a spring secured in the button and adapted to bear upon the shank and hold the button in either of its two positions, substantially as described.

FRANOKE G. THOMAS.

\Vitnesses:

J. A. MILLER, J r., N. M. MALKIN. 

